More than 50,000 persons arrived at the Nilayam by the morning of the
6th; a long unbroken train of hundreds of omni buses, and cars, scooters and
motorcycles, brought thousands in. There were thousands who came by rail, and
trekked the distance from Bukkapatnam or even boarded trucks to reach the place
in time. When the Sivarathri Day dawned the gathering cheered in joy when Baba
gave Darshan prior to the Hoisting of the Prasanthi Flag on the Nilayam.
Dr.Diwakarla Venkatavadhanulu, Prof. of Telugu, Osmania University,
addressed the gathering on the significance of Sivarathri. Bhagavan discoursed
on the basic faults that corrode into individual and social life. He stressed
that greed is the root of all the banal competitions in the current world,
greed for riches, for power, for authority over fellowmen.
He said this can be overcome by the cultivation of detachment, of
tolerance, of the spirit of service and the deepening of Faith in an
Ever-present Immanent God. He referred to the narrow-minded promotion of one’s
language, community, province or religion, and the exaggerated emphasis on the
Love for the Nation. The loyalty to the Nation is built on the loyalty to the
village, the family, the language spoken at home, the religion learnt at the
mother’s lap etc. “You cannot separate the limbs and name the trunk as the
source of all strength!” Baba said.
Baba also emphasised the inherent excellence of the customs, conventions,
ritual and ceremonies laid down by the Sages, for limiting the vagaries of the
human mind, besides regulating and educating the emotions and impulses. He said
that the Prasanthi Flag has on it the symbol of the Sadhaka, struggling to
attain self-realisation.
At 11 A.M. Baba proceeded to the Auditorium, for the Abhishekam. Bhajan
from 50,000 throats filled the air with the Divine fragrance; the path was a
lovely carpet of flowers. The richly caparisoned Sai Geetha (elephant) walked
majestically in front. To the right and left, priests chanting Vedas moved with
Baba. During the Bhajan, Baba gave the gathering the unique chance of
witnessing the creation of a nine-jewelled locket for Sai Baba’s silver idol,
and when He placed it on the forehead, between the eyebrows, it stuck! Then, He
poured from a wooden pot an unbroken stream of sacred ash on the idol, precious
stones too falling from the pot, when His palm drew the sacred substance
created by His touch.
In the evening, devotees gathered before the Santhi Vedika, and the vast
expanse of open space was tight packed with men and women, eagerly awaiting the
Discourse, the emergence of the Lingam, and the night long vigil and Bhajan.
Dr.V.K.Gokak, and Sri.Nakul Sen. I.C.S., Lt.Governor of Goa spoke in English on
Bhagavan and His Universal Message of Love. Dr.Divakarla Venkatavadhanlu spoke
in Telugu. Then, Baba delivered His Divine Discourse.
He said: Sai Bhakthas have to be pioneers in a new revolution, a
transformation of the character and endeavour; so, they have to fill themselves
with Love so that the shower of unselfish Universal Love can scotch the flames
of anger, hatred, fear and anxiety that are consuming the world today.
After the Discourse, which lasted for one hour, Bhagavan sang a few
Namavalis and enthralled the huge gathering into ecstasy. Meanwhile, the first
indications of the emergence of the Lingam became apparent, and Baba sat in the
Silver Chair. The gathering sang in chorus, in anxious expectation of the
Miracle, the uplifting song, Om Sivaya, Om Sivaya. About fifteen minutes later,
a heavy oval Lingam, glowing with the Divine effulgence, composed of a
substance very much akin to opal emerged and manifested its splendour to the
vast multitude, making it soar in a wave of adoration and Bliss.
On the morning of the seventh, when the all-night Bhajan session ended,
Bhagavan gave Darshan at the Santhi Vedika and He blessed the mass of devotees
with a short Discourse. After the Discourse, Baba blessed the devotees and had
Divine Prasadam distributed to every one of the 50,000 persons, so that they
may break the ritual fast they had vowed the previous day.
On the previous evening of the 7th, the Meeting held in the Auditorium
was addressed by Kuppa Bairagi Sastry and by Swami Karunyanandaji of the Jeeva
Karyunyasangha, Rajahmundry. Bhagawan spoke about the Guru and His
responsibilities. Instead of elevating the Guru, who is only a sign-post to
God, as God, it is much better to accept the God resident in you as the Guru
and pray to Him to guide you and take you nearer to Him. You cannot cross a
river sitting in a boat of stone! You must surrender completely to His Will and
dedicate thought, word and deed to Him.
On the 8th, Baba blessed the thousands of eager visitors from all the
States of India, and from all the continents, giving to each one of them the
coveted Vibhuthi and the chance of Namaskara. On the 9th, 10th and 11th March,
Bhagavan selected from among the thousands the old, the sick, the maimed and
the afflicted, for being blessed with special interview with Him and He gave
them the consolation, courage, and the cure they longed for.
On the 12th, He left for Anantapur, where the Building for the Women’s
College is fast coming up. He will be at Whitefield for a few days, before
proceeding on Tour.
Om Sai Ram
